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HE HELPED his son when his kidneys failed and he desperately needed a transplant.

Now Adi Fuller is set to help others in his son’s position by raising money for a leading charity that carries out research into the disease.

Freddie Fuller

The 52-year-old, who donated a kidney to his son Freddie, pictured, in 2009, will tomorrow run the London Marathon in aid of the South West Thames Kidney Fund.

Adi, from Southsea, said: ‘I’ve seen the effect kidney disease can have on a person and how you can live without knowing you’ve got it. So I want to help fund research into it that will find a way to detect it earlier.’

Freddie, who lives in Surrey, was unaware he had a problem with his kidneys, but they gradually began to fail.

When he was diagnosed it was clear that without a transplant he was destined to spend his life on dialysis.

It was then his father was found to be a perfect donor match.

Adi said: ‘It was a shock finding out he had a problem. Then it was a case of finding a match.

‘When they said I was, there was no question – of course I was going to do it. They gave me ample opportunity to opt out but he’s my son. I brought him into this world and I want to keep him in it.

‘The actual transplant was an emotional thing. You’re a bit worried, but I had a good recovery and so did Freddie.’

On the marathon, he added: ‘It will be tough, but I’ll do it. Even with one kidney, I can do it.’

The transplant helped transform Freddie’s life.

Now the 28-year-old has a clean bill of health thanks to his father.

He said: ‘It’s amazing what my dad did for me.

‘When we had the operations, I was more nervous for him than me. As soon as I came round I asked if my dad was OK.